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The Horse and His Boy

January 17, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

17 Jan

Title: The Horse and His Boy
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia, book 3
Major Themes: Allegories, Fantasy
Synopsis: Two runaways’ paths cross as they head toward Narnia…but only time will tell if they can get there before they are caught, or before something worse happens.

A while back, I was talking to a new friend and we got on the subject of books and reading—one of my favorite topics. Somehow, we got onto the topic of the Chronicles of Narnia series, and the friend said that he’d loved all of those books for most of his life, but The Horse and His Boy was his favorite of the series. “Well,” I said, “I’ve read the first two books in the series—and I’m looking forward to when I can start that one, too!”. “Make sure you read that one next,” he said, “It’s good.” I took his word for it, but didn’t obey him. Sometime last year, however, I realized that one way I could get through the series was to read them aloud to my siblings, so I’ve been working my way through them all again—and finally got to this book! At this point, I do agree with my friend—this is a good book. Maybe not my favorite so far, but a close second, anyway.

Publisher’s description:

Narnia…where horses talk…where treachery is brewing…where destiny awaits.

On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh and narrow lives, they soon find themselves at the center of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself.

My thoughts:

Some of my first impressions of the book’s title, The Horse and His Boy, are humorous to me now. I remember asking one of my brothers after he finished listening to the story, “Is this book really about a horse, and a boy he ‘owns’?” He smiled and answered in the affirmative. This book is about a lot more than just a horse who controls a boy, but to some extent, that is part of the story.

I adored Bree. I also appreciated Shasta’s spirit and the way he tried to help others—once he was willing to stand up for himself, anyway. The journey those two took together was both intriguing and a lot of fun—a classical adventure. And while I struggled to pull a lot of spiritual allegories out of the story, I know they are there—and whenever I read this book again, I’m sure I’ll see a lot more, as I always pick up more on the second pass.

Danger, adventure, friendship, and help from unknown quarters—all combine to make this a heartwarming, often gripping read. We got through The Horse and His Boy in record time. My brothers rarely let me stop until after we’d finished two or three chapters in each sitting, and none of us could wait to find out what happened next! If your children enjoyed the first two books in the series, I’d highly recommend you get them this one as well. It’s well worth the read!

WARNING: Chapter 1: retelling of finding a man who died while saving a child’s life. Chapter 2: stealing, “I could have sworn”. Chapter 3: “I prayed to all the gods”, a girl almost committed suicide, lying, someone covertly given a sleeping potion, stealing, “my word”. Chapter 4: lying. Chapter 5: “by the Lion’s Mane”, “this devilish city”, lying, someone recounts several fights with people. Chapter 6: stealing food. Chapter 7: someone threatens others with death if they tell a secret. Chapter 8: a man kicked. Chapter 9: “thank goodness”. Chapter 10: “By Tash!”, a lion hurts a girl. Chapter 12: “Lion alive!”, “by the Lion’s Mane”. Chapter 13: a battle and a boy is almost killed, “by the Mane”, “Lion alive!”, several people killed. Chapter 14: “by the Lion’s Mane”. Chapter 15: “by the Lion”, “curse you”.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Book of Lost Friends

January 15, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

15 Jan

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

Title: The Book of Lost Friends
Author: Lisa Wingate
Major Themes: Reconstruction, Family
Synopsis: Based on real advertisements in the “Lost Friends” column, this is a memorable story of a young woman in post-Civil War Louisiana searching for her long-lost family.

Last year, I had the privilege of reading Before We Were Yours, a book that instantly became one of my top favorites of the year. When I saw The Book of Lost Friends coming up, I knew I wanted to read that, too. Lisa Wingate has a way of weaving history and story together in an unforgettable manner, and I knew this book would likely be a treat, too. I wasn’t wrong!

Publisher’s description:

From the bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes a dramatic historical novel of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post–Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives.

Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold away.

Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of stolen inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery’s end, the pilgrimage west reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.

Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt—until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, is suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lie the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.

My thoughts:

There is so much going on in this story. The most fascinating part for me was the part of the story around Hannie and her journey as she searched for her family. I also appreciated the part of the story set in the 1980s in Louisiana, getting a peek into a time in American history I know very little about.

This book deals with racism, but so much more than that, too. In some ways, it’s a family saga—the story of a family torn apart by circumstances and greed, the story of the love that compels us to fight for what we’ve lost, even when it seems impossible, the story of humanity’s cruelty and the tenacity of hope. It’s also a story of discovery, as Benny learns history she is ignorant of, and uses that to help her students in their struggles and uncertainties.

I did struggle with some parts of the book. The violence, while often off-page, wasn’t pleasant, and some very difficult, awful things happen throughout the story. I didn’t always agree with the characters in their choices to lie or try to fight back, even though I understood why they made the choices they did. This book is also feministic in some of its leanings; the main characters are both women and one of them, especially, considers herself just as good as a man.

The Book of Lost Friends is a striking memorial to the many slave families ripped apart before and during the Civil War, and the hope they clung to afterward as they tried to rebuild their lives. It’s also a portrait of how one or two people’s greed can destroy many other people. In many ways, it’s a realistic story, which doesn’t make it an easy read—but it is a good read. If you enjoy learning about parts of history you don’t normally read about, and don’t mind darker stories on occasion, this could be a good book for you. It’s hard-hitting, yes, but also hopeful; a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit and the way life can come out of ashes. I’m glad I read this book, even though I doubt I’ll ever read it again. It’s a good story.

WARNING: Chapter 1: “It’s at night that the bad things happen, to Mama and Aunt Jennie both”, lying, man steals slaves, “he’s the devil and she is too”, people steal some strings, slaves sold off, woman kicked and passes out, man kept an “other family that everybody knew about, but didn’t speak about”, “devil you ain’t.” Chapter 2: “I’d swear”, person in an accident. Chapter 3: Mention of a woman being a witch and being willing to poison people, some superstitious beliefs, stealing, lying, “what in saint’s name”, “what in the name of mercy”, Lord, “O Lord O Lord”. Chapter 4: “For heaven’s sake”, crap (twice). Chapter 5: Lying. Chapter 7: Stealing things, description of people being attacked by dogs after running away. Chapter 8: “Good gravy”, crappy. Chapter 9: Stealing. Chapter 11: Multiple mentions of fear of ghosts/haints and superstition, asking the saints to protect them. Chapter 14: “Oh Lord” (twice). Chapter 15: “My Lord” (twice). Chapter 17: Mention of someone stealing people, “thank heaven.” Chapter 18: Man spends a night at a woman’s house (nothing wrong happens). Chapter 19: “Lord knows”, a woman tells about being told to make another baby with a man she doesn’t love and then her children being sold off, someone calls a horse a broom-tailed dink. Chapter 20: “I’d swear.” Chapter 21: Lord, a boy tells of a man whose throat was cut and he was thrown into the river, lying. Chapter 22: Unmarried touching, unmarried kiss. Chapter 23: Mention of sex and teenage pregnancy, “good gracious.” Chapter 25: Mention of women’s monthly, unwed pregnancy. Chapter 26: Unmarried hug. Chapter 27: Mention of seeing a saddle with blood on it, knowing a man kicked someone and approving, a fight and men killed, infernal, woman remembers hearing her mother being raped, “God a damn it”, men and a woman shot and killed. Chapter 28: Unmarried touching. Epilogue: Mention of pregnancy out of wedlock.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

What Good is God?

January 13, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

13 Jan

Title: What Good is God?
Author: Philip Yancey
Major Themes: Faith, Theology, Suffering, Apologetics
Synopsis: From the halls of a school recovering from a school shooting, to people helping AIDS victims in South Africa, Philip Yancey explores what true faith looks like amid intense suffering—and whether or not God can be trusted.

I’ve grown to appreciate the way reading challenges push me outside of my normal reading “comfort zone” and make me pick up books I might not otherwise take the time to read. I read one of Philip Yancey’s books years ago, and ever since then, I’ve been collecting his works when I come across them—including a copy of What Good is God?, which I discovered while second-hand shopping sometime in the last three or four years. It’s one of those books that look interesting, but unless I get an extra push to read it, I don’t necessarily ever pick it up. I’m so glad I got the chance to read this one—it’s a gem, and one I want to hang onto now!

Publisher’s description:

In What Good is God? journalist and spiritual seeker Philip Yancey travels the globe in search of an answer to a query posed the world over. It’s a universal question, one that “occurs in some form to every person who experiences pain or death or poverty or unfairness—in other words, to everyone,” says Yancey. What good is God in a world where terrorists attack tourist sites in Mumbai, where women and children are sold into sexual slavery, where a gunman kills 32 students and staff on a college campus, and where six million people in South Africa alone suffer from HIV/AIDS?

Or, on a more personal level, does faith really matter when you’re struggling with an addiction, when you get laid off from your job and your home is in foreclosure, or when chronic depression sets in?

This book recounts Yancey’s search, including meetings with leaders of the underground church in China, with Dalits (untouchables) in India, with prostitutes, alcoholics, and Bible college students in the U.S., and with charismatic Christians in Johannesburg. Each stop provides a fascinating clue to answering life’s most profound questions. As he relives these ten memorable occasions, the author tells the dramatic “story behind the story” as well as what he said at the time to the people he encountered. This unique combination provides a compelling reading experience, as well as firsthand evidence that faith really does make a difference, even when belief is severely tested.

My thoughts:

Initially, when I picked this book up and read the back cover, I was surprised to discover that the description reminded me somewhat of The Insanity of God. That book is in my top ten nonfiction books of all time, so that instantly made me more interested in this story. This book ended up quite different from what I thought it might be like, but even so, I found it to be a fascinating, thought-provoking read.

This is a collection of ten mini-stories about trips Philip Yancey took between 2003 and 2009. Each trip featured a speaking engagement, and here he presents an overview of the setting, what brought him there, and what he spoke about to the different groups he encountered. This is a disparate collection of writings, but as I read them, the common theme became obvious: God’s power to transform lives and bring hope and healing into both the ordinary and the most extraordinary of circumstances. Here, Philip shares his experiences on the Virginia Tech campus after the massacre there, of a conference put on for those ministering to prostitutes, of his days in Bible college, his experiences in a transformed South Africa, as well as six other diverse locations and experiences.

What I appreciated so much about What Good is God? is the way Philip continually points to the Lord, and also looks at the world around us—as well as history and our Christian faith—with a clear-sighted, analytical mindset. This was a refreshing, encouraging read for me. Multiple times, I found myself pausing to read out a quote to my family (this book is at the top of my most-quoted-of-the-year list!), and it also brought about some intriguing discussions with a friend or two. Some of the things shared here were ones I have read very little about (I don’t think I’d heard of Virginia Tech before this, for example—and it’s intimidating to think of attending a conference focused on helping prostitutes!). But each story is handled with passion, wisdom, and grace, and I found myself amazed at the perspective and encouragement baked into each section. There’s a lot to be learned from a book like this, and I’m grateful to have had the chance to read it.

WARNING: This book covers some heavy topics—a school shooting, people being tortured in China, discussions with prostitutes or former prostitutes (including mentions of sex, how much people earned per day, what it was like to live in a brothel, etc.), and other things along those lines (for example, in ch. 11, someone mentioned meeting someone whose husband repeatedly cheated on her, and then she found out her father had been molesting his granddaughters). Yancey does a good job getting enough information across so you know and can relate to what he is talking about, but not so much that you feel like you’ve experienced the sin itself. Because of the content, I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone younger than older teenagers and adults.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

January 10, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

10 Jan

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Title: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Series: Logan Family Saga, book 4
Major Themes: Racism, Family, 1930s, Mississippi
Synopsis: The gripping story of a black family in Mississippi in the 1930s, facing racism and working together to keep their land.

From the time I was a young child, Mom has read a wide variety of books aloud to our family. One book I have always vividly remembered is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. I don’t know when we first read the story, exactly, but I’m fairly certain it was back in the time when Mom was still recording books for us to listen to on cassette tape. Parts of the book have stuck with me, and made me want to re-read it recently. This is a powerful story of a family working together and combatting racism while still trying to retain their dignity—and keep the peace, as much as possible.

Publisher’s description:

With the land to hold them together, nothing can tear the Logans apart.

Why is the land so important to Cassie’s family? It takes the events of one turbulent year—the year of the night riders and the burnings, the year a white girl humiliates Cassie in public simply because she’s black—to show Cassie that having a place of their own is the Logan family’s lifeblood. It is the land that gives the Logans their courage and pride—no matter how others may degrade them, the Logans possess something no one can take away.

My thoughts:

I remember Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry as a gripping, insightful look into the struggles and triumphs black families in the South faced in the 1930s while racism still had a firm hold on the minds and hearts of many people. As a young child, I couldn’t imagine the terror children like me faced so many years ago at the hands of people who should have been good neighbors—and I was also grateful that, though things might not be perfect for families these days, at least things have gotten better.

As an adult reading the story now, I saw a lot more nuances to the story—things I missed in my younger years. I was impressed by the family cohesiveness displayed here. The children were disobedient at times, yes, but despite the disruption and evil outside, their home was one of love and relative peace—with the adults actively working to protect the children from the worst of the horrors. I was also impressed by the way the racism side was handled—it was very matter-of-fact, and, where possible, details were vague—just clear enough that you get an idea of what happened, but not “in your face,” so to speak.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a heavy story. It’s also a well-written, gripping story, one that sticks with you for a long time. As you get to know Cassie and her family, you get to see the courage and determination of many, many black families in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. This book is a portrait of a time past, but many elements are still (sadly) relevant today. If you’re looking for well-written historical literature, but have never read this book, I’d highly recommend you check it out. It’s well worth the read.

WARNING: Shoot is used in ch. 1 (twice), 3, 4, 5 (three times), 6 (twice), 8 (three times), and 10; God’s name is used as “Lord, child”, “my Lord”, or something similar in ch. 3, 4 (three times), 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 (three times), and 12 (twice); “that devilish bus” is used in ch. 3; “them devilish night men” is used in ch. 3 and 7; “holy smokes” is used in ch. 3; “what the devil” is used in ch. 3, 4, 5 (twice), 7 (twice), and 11; “them ole devils” is used in ch. 4 and “that ole devil” is used in ch. 6; “land sakes” is used in ch. 4; doggone is used in ch. 6 (twice) and 8; confounded is used in ch. 6 (twice); “pray to God” is used in ch. 9; and “I swear” is used in ch. 9. There is lying in ch. 1, 3, 4 and 8.

Racism—and the violence of whites vs. blacks in the 1930s—is a main theme in this story. Several times, there are mentions of men badly burnt by white men who were angry at black people (this is described in ch. 2, and people see someone who was burnt in ch. 4). Someone tells of a person being tarred and feathered in ch. 4. A man tells about night men raiding, killing, and burning people in ch. 7, and explains how slaves were hand-picked and forced together to “breed” stronger slaves. A man is shot at and injured in ch. 9, and someone tells about hearing someone breaking men’s bones in retaliation. Someone tells about a break-in, stealing things, and people turn on someone, violently injuring them, in ch. 11. People witness white men raiding and hurting a black family in ch. 11, with intent to kill.

People pray for the soul of a man who died in ch. 2. Children are disobedient several times throughout the story—pretending to wear rain protection when told, but taking them off when their parents weren’t around (ch. 3), going somewhere their parents forbade them to go (ch. 4 and 5), etc. Sometimes, they were caught and punished; other times, they got away with it. People try to take revenge on others and destroy property in ch. 3. Boys punch each other and fight in ch. 4. People talk about young people getting into drinking in ch. 7. Someone smokes in ch. 7. To get revenge for something, a girl sweet-talks someone and then turns on them in ch. 8, and ends up beating someone up.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Hardcover | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Wise Woman and Other Stories

January 8, 2025 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

8 Jan

The Wise Woman and Other Stories by George MacDonald

Title: The Wise Woman and Other Stories
Author: George MacDonald
Major Themes: Allegories, Fairy Tales, Classics
Synopsis: Four of George MacDonald’s lesser-known stories—ones that will delight, entertain, and ultimately make you think.

A year or two ago, I read Phantastes by George MacDonald. While I enjoyed portions of the story, also I found myself highly confused about what he was trying to convey through the book. After that experience, I decided I needed to try some of his other writings—but it took a while before I was ready to try again. I was delighted, after sitting down with The Wise Woman and Other Stories, to realize that I could understand these stories—and, beyond that, that I was enjoying what I was reading!

Publisher’s description:

George MacDonald (1824-1905), the great nineteenth-century innovator of modern fantasy, influenced not only C.S. Lewis but also such literary masters as Charles Williams and J.R.R. Tolkien. Though his longer fairy tales Lilith and Phantastes are particularly famous, much of MacDonald’s best fantasy writing is found in his shorter stories. In this volume editor Glenn Sadler has compiled some of MacDonald’s finest short works—marvelous fairy tales and stories certain to delight readers familiar with MacDonald and those about to meet him for the first time.

My thoughts:

Though The Wise Woman and Other Stories might be somewhat difficult to get into (I had to force myself to get through the first few chapters), I also think this collection of stories is quite worthwhile. To be fair, I have always enjoyed fairy tales, so when that element appeared in some of the stories, I was already predisposed to like them. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the allegorical side of several of these stories—it was more pronounced in some places than in others, but I felt like there was a lot to learn from here. Of the four stories in this book, I think The Wise Woman was probably my favorite—the way some of the characters in the story were taught their lessons was unique and made me pause to think more than once.

After reading this book, I’m more excited about trying other MacDonald books. I know his work has inspired many others—authors whom I greatly respect—and I’m interested to try to get a feel for what blessed others. If you enjoy allegories, and stories with semi-supernatural twists, I’d recommend you check this book out.

WARNING: Magic is mentioned occasionally. In The Wise Woman, ch. 1, a girl mistreats an animal. In ch. 2, a wolf is killed and other wolves try to eat a girl. In ch. 7, a girl is stripped naked to try to teach her a lesson (in our book there is a line-art illustration of her naked). In ch. 9, a dog catches a girl and throws her to the ground. In ch. 12, a boy dies. I didn’t see anything to warn about in the other stories.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com